Mardi Gras (mostly) suitable for kids
February 10, 2010 ·
It has been called “The Greatest Free Show on Earth.” The New Orleans, Louisiana, Mardi Gras is a celebration of culture, food, music and family. But for many adults, Mardi Gras conjures up images of drunken excess, exposed body parts and general unruly behavior — all that on top of nowhere to use the bathroom.
The [...]
Fantastic New Year’s Eve destinations
December 29, 2009 ·
A couple million people will hit Brazil’s Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro as the final minutes of 2009 are counted down, ready for a mix of spiritual observances, fireworks and full-tilt partying.
Thousands of miles away, a much more low-key style of New Year’s revelry will be happening on a tiny island off the coast [...]
Barack Obama’s Hawaii holiday may boost tourism
December 28, 2009 ·
Tourism officials hope images of a president celebrating a warm Christmas in Hawaii will remind mainlanders that a sunny getaway awaits them if they’d just hop on a plane and leave the frigid temperatures and mounds of snow behind.
While officials don’t expect President Barack Obama’s visit to attract tourists immediately, they hope it will provide [...]
Southern skiers reveling in snow blast
December 28, 2009 ·
Skiers in North Carolina have an unusual treat this year: The Blue Ridge Mountains are dressed in winter white from an early snowstorm coating native rhododendrons in iridescent crystal ice and creating a solid base on the slopes. The ski resorts and snow guns are going full bore.
The largest and best known ski areas are [...]
New restrictions add to air-travel headaches
December 28, 2009 ·
New security restrictions swiftly implemented following a botched attempt to blow up an airliner on Christmas Day are making air travel more burdensome and could discourage some business fliers, key customers for the airlines.
Passengers will likely face longer lines at checkpoints and less freedom to move around the airplane during flight. Leisure travelers, such as [...]
Massive storm disrupts last-minute holiday travel
December 24, 2009 ·
A slow-moving storm spreading snow, sleet and rain across the nation’s midsection glazed roads and disrupted flights Thursday, making last-minute holiday travel treacherous but promising a white Christmas for some.
The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Texas. It cautioned that travel would be extremely [...]
Top tips for smart shopping in Europe
December 24, 2009 ·
Shopping in Europe can be fun, but not if you let it overwhelm your trip. I like to shop smart, spending my time — and money — efficiently. Based on three decades of travel, here are my top tips for shopping in Europe.
Shop in countries where your dollar goes farther. Shop in Turkey, Morocco, Portugal, [...]
